Perhaps fans didn’t see the Demi Lovato and Wilmer Valderrama split coming, but those close to the pair saw something different between them.

At least, that’s what E! News is reporting. According to an unnamed source for the news outlet, the relationship between Demi and Wilmer lacked a romantic spark.

“It had turned into more of a big brother-little sister kind of relationship. The romance wasn’t what it used to be. That said, Wilmer is still very protective of her.”

A second source corroborated the story to E! News, saying, “They love each other but aren’t in love anymore. They are really great friends which they’ll continue to be but the romance sort of died.”

Wilmer and Demi announced their split via a joint statement on Friday, saying that they had realized they “are better as best friends.”

“After almost 6 loving and wonderful years together, we have decided to end our relationship,” the statement said. “This was an incredibly difficult decision for both of us, but we have realized more than anything that we are better as best friends. We will always be supportive of one another. Thank you to everyone who has offered us kindness and support over the years.”

Demi Lovato and her boyfriend for 6 years, Wilmer Valderrama have broken up. Demi posted this message on her twitter pic.twitter.com/VsO2PAFuTr

Even though sources close to the couple may have seen the split coming, fans across social media immediately expressed their shock. Throughout their long relationship, Demi and Wilmer had always been extremely supportive of one another in public. Admittedly, the pair had been through quite a bit together, including Lovato’s struggles with substance abuse, her eating disorder, and the death of her father.

In fact, about a year before their split, Lovato told Huff Post Live that she would not have survived if it hadn’t been for Valderrama’s love and support.

“(Valderrama will) never take credit for a lot of my sobriety and my recovery, but I guarantee it, I wouldn’t be alive without him today.”

Valderrama’s support is a subject the E! News source also touched on, saying that Wilmer “did a lot for her.”

“He did a lot for her — not just in terms of being there for her when she had her health issues, but really helping build her brand and launch her product lines. You never saw him out in front though. He never tried to ride her fame.”

Demi and Wilmer first met in 2010 at Valderrama’s house, while the pair were shooting a PSA aimed at encouraging Latino millennials to vote.

“I went to his house for a PSA shoot for Voto Latino in 2010,” Lovato told AndPop in 2014. “I was like, ‘Oh, my god. This guy is so attractive!’ We started talking.”

The “Confident” singer and her new beau managed to keep the relationship quiet for some time, but near the end of 2011 Demi and Wilmer were spotted kissing outside his home. The couple split in 2012, but reunited in 2013 with a romantic sushi dinner. By the time 2014 rolled around, the pair seemed to be confident in their relationship, going so far as to answer questions about one another during interviews and share messages to one another on social media.

In 2015, when asked by a New Zealand radio station about getting married, Lovato said she would absolutely say “yes” if Valderrama proposed. But, more recently, Valderrama reportedly told an unnamed source that he and Lovato weren’t “in that space.”

What do you think of the news of Demi Lovato and Wilmer Valderrama’s breakup? Were you surprised to hear of their split?